Speed-regulator system



Dec. 30, 1924. 1,520,973 r S. A. STAEGE SPEED REGULATOR SYSTE M FiledSept. 1, 1

WITNESSES:

INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 30, 1924.

-UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STEPHEN A. STAEGE, OF IIE'I'J.TSBURGI-I PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TOWESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OFPENNSYLVANIA.

SPEED-REGULATOR SYSTEM.

-App1ication filed September To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN A. STAEGE', a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in SpeedRegulator Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to regulator systems and it has special relation tosystems adapted to maintain a substantially-constant speed ratio betweena plurality of moving members.

One object of my invention is to provide a speed-regulator system of theabove-indicated character which shall be inexpensive in construction andsimple and efficient in operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a regulator system whichshall include, as a portion thereof, a rheostat having concurrentlymovable elements.

The present invention is shown as applied to the speed regulation of aplurality of roll units of a paper-mill, wherein each set of rotatablemembers is propelled by a variable-speed motor. Each rotatable memberoperates a speed-changing device, which, in turn, operates a frequencychanger that is electrically connected to one winding of a secondfrequency changer. The other winding of the second frequency changer isconnected to a source of constant frequency which is common to all ofthe roll units. The second frequency changer, therefore, is an electricdifferential, or a differential relay.

The illustrated embodiment of the present invention contemplatesmounting upon the shaft of the differential, a rheostat having oneportion thereof operated by the differential to increase ordecrease theresistance value of the field-winding circuit of the propelling motor tomaintain constant speed thereof .with varying loads. Another portion ofthe rheostat is adapted to be oscillated, or vibrated, by means of amotoroperated eccentric. Normally, therefore, that is, when thedifferential is inactive, the

contact arm may be maintained stationary while the rheostat face platemay be con- 1, 1921. Serial No. 497,768.

tinuously moved so that engagement may be made between the one or theother of two contact points thereof. Hence, a mean effective resistancevalue may be obtained that is equivalent to that of point between thetwo contact points continually engaged.

Reference may now be had to the accompanying drawing. wherein the singlefigure is a diagrammatic illustration of the circuits and apparatusembodying my invention, as applied to a plurality of rotatable members.

Since the apparatus of the roll units are alike, the present inventionwill be described with reference to a single unit of rotatable members,and illustrated duplicate parts will be given like reference numerals.

A set of rotatable members is diagrammatically indicated by a roll 11which is adapted to be driven by a variable-speedcontrolling motor 12,having an armature 13 and a field-magnet winding 14, through suitablegearing 15. Roll 11 drives a speed changer 17, of any well-knownconstruction, here shown as of the cone-pulley type, through gearing 16.The speed changer operates the rotor 18 of a frequency changer 19, thestator winding 21 of which is energized from any suitable source.

The rotor 18 is.electricallyconnected to the rotor or secondary winding22 of a second frequency changer 23. The stator or primary winding 24 offrequency changer 23 is connected to the rotor 25 of a frequency changer26 which is common to all of the roll units. The stator winding 27 isadapted to be energized from any suitable source, preferably that towhich the stator windings 21 are connected. The frequency changer 26 isdriven by a motor 28 to supply a constant frequency to the windings 24of the differential machine 23.

It will be apparent that, if the frequencies applied to the windings 22and 24 of the frequency changer 23 are identical, there will be nomovement of the shaft 29 of this machine. However, any variations infrequency will be indicated by a rotation of the shaft 29. Hence, in itsoperation, the frequency changer 23 becomes a differential machine.

Mounted upon the shaft 29 is a rheostat 31, having a face plate 32 and acontact arm 33. The rheostat is in circuit with the fieldmagnet winding14 of the propelling motor 12. The contact ooints 32 are connected, bymeans of flexible connections, to the re sistance units of the rheostatin any wellknown manner, not requiring illustration. The contact arm 33is rigidly mounted upon the shaft 29 so as to turn therewith. The faceplate 32 is adapted to be continuously oscillated on vibrated by meansof a crank 34 which is connected to the face plate 32 by means of aconnecting rod 35. The oscillatory movement of the face plate 32 may beadjusted .by varying the connection of the rod 35 in the slot 35'. Thecrank 34 is driven by a motor 36, through suitable gearing 37. The crankmechanism oscillates the face plate to vary the contact engagement toobtain resistance values intermediate the adjacent contact points and,hence, to provide resistance values to compensate forininor speedchanges of the propelling motor.

Assuming a change in load upon the roll '11 that requires an increase inresistance value in the field-winding circuit of the propelling motor,the differential will opcrate to move the contact arm 33 in a directionto increase the resistance the desired amount. The rheostat faceplate iscontinuously vibrated, so that, as the contact arm nears the propercorrecting position and the differential comes to a halt, there will bethe same vibratory action continued to cause the rheostat to assume thecorrect position without hunting action.

In other ords, the steps of the rheostat are generalb; too great or toosmall for exact regulation of the propelling motor.

With the present mechanism, the contact arm will come to rest on thepoint nearest correct resistance value for the new load, and then thevibratory mechanism will cause the face plate to oscillate so that thenext contact point nearest correct position will be brought intointermittent engagement with the contact arm. By reason of the vibratil)tory action, a mean resistance value interme diate the two en agedpoints will be maintained in the tie] of the propelling motor.

The mean resistance value may be any.

value between the two engaged points since the position of the arm willbe such that 1t will be in engagement with the point most' nearlycorrect, and the oscillations will tend to introduce a differentresistance value only in proportion to the correction required. Thus,the contact arm may be in engagement with two of the points, each fiftyper cent of thetime, or in engagement w1th one point seventyfive percent and the other point only twenty-five per cent of the time.

It will be understood that, while the rheostat having concurrentlymovable parts is' illustrated in connection with a s eed-regulatorsystem, it is equally applicab e to other regulator systems. Also, it isimmaterial whether the contact arm is vibrated and the differentialmovement imparted to the face plate only or also to the resistance unit.Furthermore, the differential movement could embrace more than twocontact points of the rheostat.

Accordingly, modifications in the system and in the arrangement andlocation of parts may be made within the spirit and scope of myinvention, and such modifica tions are intended to be covered by theappended claims.

I claim as my invention 1. In a speed-regulator system, the combinationwith a rotatable member, a propelling'motor, therefor, a rheostat incircuit therewith comprising a face plate and having a contact arm,aspeed-changing device associated with said member, a frequency changerdriven thereby, a source of constant freqi ency, and an electricdifferential locate between said frequency changer and said constantsource, said differential being adapted to vary the position of thecontact arm of said rheostat in accordance with the speed variations ofsaid member, of means for vibrating one part of said rheostat.

2. In a regulator system, the combination with a dynamo-electricmachine, a rheostat in circuit therewith having a contact arm. and adifferential associated with said machine and adapted to vary theposition of the contact arm of said rheostat, of means for vibrating onepart of said rheostat to vary the effective value of said rheostat insaid circuit.

3. In a regulator system, the combination with a dynamo-electricmachine, a rheostat in circuit therewith having a plurality of movableparts, and means associated with said machine and adapted to controlsaid rheostat, of means for vibrating one part of said rheostat to varythe eflective value of said rheostat in said' circuit.

4. In a regulator system, the combination with a dynamo-electricmachine, and a rheostat in circuit therewith having a contact arm andco-operating face plate, of means controlled by said machine for movingsaid contact arm, and means for vibrating the face plate of saidrheostat.

5. In a speed-regulator system. the combination with a rotatable member.a propelling motor therefor, a constant power source, a differentialmeans located between said rotatable member and said source, and arheostat in circuit with said motor and controlled by said differential,of means for producing vibratory control of said rheostat.

6. In a regulator system, the, combination with a dynamo-electricmachine, adifferential associated with said machine, and a rheostat incircuit with said machine and controlled by said differential, of meansfor producing vibratory movements of one portion of said rheostat.

7. In a regulator system, the combination with a dynamo-electric machinehaving a rheostat in circuit therewith having a plurality of movableparts, of means for vibrating one of the parts of said rheostat to varythe effective value of said rheostat in said circuit.

8. In a speed-regulator system, the combination with a propelling motor,a constant-power source, diflerential means connected between said motorand said source, and a rheostat in circuit with said motor andcontrolled by said differential, of means adapted to effect pulsatorymovement of said rheostat between two of its contact points to preventhunting action.

9. In a regulator system, thecombination with a dynamo-electric machine,differential means associated therewith, and arheostat in circuit withsaid machine, of means adapted to effect pulsatory movement of saidrheostat between two of its contact points to prevent hunting action.

10. In a regulator system, the combination witha dynamo-electric machineand a rheostat in circuit therewith having a resistance divided betweena plurality of taps, of means for controlling said rheostat to cause itto function to produce resistance values intermediate thosecorresponding to the taps thereof.

11. In a regulator system, the combination with a dynamo-electricmachine having a rheostat i -circuit therewith, of continuouslyoscillating means for controlling said rheostat to cause it to produceresistance values intermediate those corresponding to the contact pointsthereof.

12. In a speed-regulator system, the combination with a driving member,a constantpower source, differential means connected between saiddriving member and said source, and a-rheostat controlled by saiddifferential means and adapted to govern said driving member, ofoscillatory means adapted to cause said rheostat to produce effectiveresistance values intermediate those corresponding to its contactpoints.

13. In a regulator system, the combination with a dynamo-electricmachine. differential means associated therewith, and a rheostat incircuit with said machine and controlled by said differential means, ofoscillatory means also controlling said rheostat to produce effectiveresistance values intermediate those corresponding to its contactpoints.

14. In a regulator system, the combination with a dynamo-electricmachine having a rheostat in circuit therewith, of means for controllingsaid rheostat, and continuously tion with a dynamo-electric machinehaving a rheostat in circuit therewith, means for controlling saidrheostat, and vibratory means adapted to cause said rheostat to produceresistance values intermediate those corresponding to its contactpoints.

16. In a speed-regulator system, the combination with a movable member,a propel ling motor therefor, a constant-power source, differentialmeans connected between said movable member and said source, and arheostat in circuit with said motor and controlled by said differentialmeans. of an independently actuated member associated with said rheostatand adapted to cause it to produce an effective resistance valueintermediate those corresponding to two of the contact points of saidrheostat.

17. In a regulator system, the combination with a dynamo-electricmachine having a rheostat in circuit therewith, of means for controllingsaid rheostat, and a crank actuating said rheostat to produce resistancevalues intermediate those corresponding to the contact points of saidrheostat.

18. In a regulator system, the combination with a dynamo-electricmachine, and a rheostat in circuit therewith and having a plurality ofmovable parts, of a crank actuating a part of said rheostat to produceresistance values intermediate those corresponding to the contact pointsthereof.

19. In a speed-regulator system, the combination with a dynamo-electricmachine having a rheostat in circuit therewith, said rheostat having oneportion thereof actuated in accordance with the operation of saidmachine, of means associated with said rheostat and adapted to produceresistance values intermediate those corresponding to two of the contactpoints thereof.

20. In a regulator system, the combination with a dynamo-electricmachine having a rheostat in circuit therewith. said rheostat having aplurality of movable parts, and means for moving one part thereof, ofmeans for concurrently reversibly moving another part of said rheostatto vary the effective value thereof in said circuit.

21. In a regulator system, the combination with a dynamo-electricmachine having a rheostat in circuit therewith, said rheostat having aplurality of movable parts, and mean-s for selectively moving one partthereof, of means for continuously moving another part of said rheostatto prevent hunting action in said regulator system.

22. In a regulator system, the combination with a dynamo-electricmachine having a rheostat in circuit therewith, said rheostat having aplurality of movable parts, and

means for selectively moving one part thereof, of vibratory means forcontrolling another part of said rheostat to vary the effective valuethereof in said circuit.

23. In a speed-regulator system, the combination with a dynamo-electricmachine having a rheostat in circuit therewith, said rheostat having oneportion" thereof adapted to be actuated in accordance with the operationof said machine, of a motor-oper- -\ated crank for concurrentlyactuating another portion of said rheostat to vary the effective valuethereof in said circuit.

24. In a regulator system, the combination with a dynamo-electricmachine having a rheostat in circuit therewith, of means for actuatingone portion of said rheostat, and

an independently operated crank for concurrently actuating anotherportion of said rheostat to prevent hunting action in said regulatorsystem.

25. In a regulator system, the combination with means to be regulated,and a rheostat in circuit therewith having a plurality of movable parts,of means for selectively moving one part thereof, and means adapted tovibrate another part of said rheostat to -vary the effective valuethereof in said circuit.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 9th day ofAugust, 1921.

STEPHEN A. STAEGE.

